Cellular Recovery Serum is PRIORI’s latest product in a new line called Target Skin Therapy.  In a nutshell, it contains a living microbe that repairs damaged DNA for superior anti-aging results. This technology is unparalleled in the skincare industry today.  For a more in-depth description, please read on. 

DNA is the key to all life, all cellular metabolic activity and the most important element in determining our health and appearance.  However, UV light and other sources of toxic free radicals can damage DNA, and if left unchecked, this damage leads directly to premature skin aging, cell death, and even skin cancer.

Antioxidants (such as Idebenone) provide the cell’s first line of defense against damage caused by oxidative stress from free radicals (sun, stress, poor nutrition, alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs).    Cell repair mechanisms, such as DNA repair enzymes, provide the second line of defense to reverse damage already caused by free radicals.  The DNA repair enzymes have the ability to target and excise the damage in the DNA.  Once the damage is removed, the DNA has the ability to self-repair and return to its normal, healthy state.

PRIORI’s DNA repair enzymes utilize 3 natural liposome encapsulated DNA repair enzymes from botanical and microbial sources to repair cellular damage.    It contains key antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients for soothing and calming the skin, and hyaluronic acid for superior skin moisturizing.    Studies have shown DNA repair enzymes have been shown to diminish the effects of harmful UV radiation, accelerate the improvement of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation, and reverse cellular DNA damage.

The new Cellular Recovery Serum is a lightweight formula that is applied to the skin immediately after cleansing, once or twice a day depending on the skin condition.  We recommend Cellular Recovery Serum along with one of PRIORI’s two Idebenone formulas in order to take advantage of both first and second lines of defense in anti-aging.

Cellular Recovery Serum can be used successfully with any skin care line to enhance its performance.

Cleansing is a term that is growing in popularity and methods of cleansing range from mild to severe.    The primary purpose of a cleanse is to provide a resting period for the liver and/or gall bladder, to allow time for these amazing organs to regenerate and heal so they can continue to support the challenging job of keeping our bodies free of toxins, regulating hormones, and other critical functions.  The Hollywood tabloids tout the current cleansing “fad,” but, in fact, cleansing has been used since the beginning of time.

In reality, our bodies naturally begin a cleansing process each evening through approximately noon the next day.  By making small changes to eating habits and improving on sleep, the natural cleansing experience can be enhanced to yield life-changing results.  When a more significant change is desired such as enhanced sense of well-being, lowering cholesterol, weight loss, improved sleep, more energy, and glowing skin, to name a few ~ a gentle liver cleanse can provide an opportunity to re-establish good eating habits or resolve a life-long habit that you wish to change.    A cleanse is a wonderful opportunity to change your relationship with your body!

Abundance clients work with Dr. Vicky Cruz biannually to learn first-hand the benefits of the cleansing process in a friendly, supportive environment.  Dr. Cruz’s process is a gentle, 21-day program that is designed to get your body back on track.  Dr. Cruz specializes in digestive health and nutrition, and uses NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) to help the individual understand the unique needs of his or her own body, and she is available for coaching and counseling throughout the process.

Check our events page or call 650.560.9600 for details on the next informational meeting.

At Abundance, we’ve been singing the praises of hyaluronic acid for years, so we were pleased to see it get some public recognition in the article “Skin care’s new favorite ingredient: hyaluronic acid” by Alene Dawson for the Los Angeles Times.  According to Dawson, hyaluronic acid is the skincare industry’s newest buzzword ingredient ~ it has a smoothing, plumping effect that makes it a worthy addition to cosmetics; also, because it is naturally occurring and is identical whether human, animal or synthetic in origin, hyaluronic acid is a safe and effective ingredient for fillers such as Botox, Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm (which contain varying thicknesses of hyaluronic acid).  For more information on injectables and fillers, please consult our in-house Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Greene.

Dawson’s source, Dr. Nowell Solish, Director of Dermatologic Surgery at University of Toronto, seems to disapprove of cosmetic companies riding the coattails of hyaluronic acid because, when applied topically, it doesn’t absorb into the skin and correct winkles, but simply fills, plumps  and smooths skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  We emphatically say… What’s wrong with that?!  For people who aren’t in the market for fillers or noninvasive anti-wrinkle treatments such as glycolic/alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliation or GentleWaves LED Photomodulation, we see no problem whatsoever with instantaneous, albeit temporary, improvement in the skin!

Abundance has several products touting hyluronic acid ~ Epicuren’s Moisture Surge and DNA Skincare’s Zen Therapy Gel are almost pure hyaluronic acid and are used as a hydrator under your moisturizer, or as a stand alone moisturizer for oily skin… but we also like to use them as a foundation primer because it leaves a super smooth finish.  TRUE Cosmetics’ Skin Tints contain hyaluronic acid, making it more of a tinted moisturizer than a liquid foundation, and believe us when we tell you it lives up to the hype!  TRUE also uses hyaluronic acid in their Transforming Mineral Mist, which is used to set mineral foundation, making mineral powder more wearable for dry skin and those with a heavy-hand, but also serves as a refreshing pick-me-up anytime (think:  airplane… desert…).  PRIORI’s new Cellular Recovery and Epicuren’s Phyto Placenta Serum also contain this “buzzword” ingredient, although we prefer to think of hyaluronic acid as buzzworthy.

Our newest addition, PRIORI Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals, is marketed as “sun protection” — rather than “mineral foundation” — acceptable not only for women, but for men and children as well.  And recently, a couple of clients have shown us the new powder sunscreen they’re using, which got us thinking about the idea of foundation versus sunscreen. We want to hear from our readers:  Would YOU put mineral powder on your toddler?  Teenage son?  Husband?  Here’s my personal investigation into the matter:

On a sunny weekend day, my family was going to walk the Los Gatos Creek Trail, a perfect opportunity to use minerals (instead of sunscreen) on my five-year-old daughter, Shannon.  As I prepped her face with a little moisture (Epicuren’s CXc, a Vitamin C serum), I wondered if I had stumbled into Pageant Mom territory.  What was next?  Spray tan for my Kindergartner?  She giggled as the brush tickled her face, and I realized that, unlike creamy sunscreen, the mineral powder won’t get in her eyes (from clumsy application or sweating).  Plus one for mineral powder!  I inspected the results and was pleased that the color was a perfect match and the powder was totally undetectable.  Two points!  By the end of the day, I no longer felt like a morally impaired makeup artist forcing cosmetics upon my family; I felt good about Shannon having breathable, chemical- and paraben-free sun protection with antioxidant protection to boot.  Plus, if you can share your mineral powder with other family members, then it’s cost effective, too.  Mineral powder for kids is definitely a winner in my book!

But I wasn’t done yet:  what about men?  Surprisingly, my SO NOT metro-sexual husband says he would wear mineral powder, but not “the liquid stuff” (a.k.a. liquid foundation).  Mineral powder, one – traditional sunscreen, zip.  While he says he would wear it, he is under the assumption that I, his wife and professional makeup artist, will be applying it for him.  Every day.  Sorry, buddy, not very practical.  And we have a tie.  Besides, mineral powder tends to have a radiance that emulates a youthful glow, something that women love but may look unnatural on a rugged, five o’clock shadow kinda guy.  If you use the Finishing Touch Powder over the mineral powder, it will yield a matte finish, but I just can’t imagine my husband knowing what to do with two powders and two brushes.   I think traditional sunscreen for men is the winner here.  Remember to look for a chemical-free, mineral sunscreen with zinc and titanium dioxide.

We’d love to know what your guy thinks about wearing mineral powder, or if you’d use it on your little tikes… leave us a comment!